Raffi Torres scores 2 easy 2nd-period goals, leads Blue Jackets past Thrashers 4-3

By CHARLES ODUM , Associated Press

Last update: November 5, 2009 - 8:48 PM

ATLANTA - Raffi Torres scored two uncontested second-period goals and the Columbus Blue Jackets held off the Atlanta Thrashers 4-3 on Thursday night.

The Thrashers, coming off road wins at Ottawa and Montreal, lost for the fourth time in five home games.

The Blue Jackets took a 2-0 lead in the first period when Jakub Voracek and Derick Brassard each had a goal and an assist, and Columbus never trailed.

Mathieu Garon stopped 32 shots in his first start against the Thrashers since 2000.

Pavel Kubina's power-play goal 2:06 into the third period cut Atlanta's deficit to 4-3. Bryan Little and Tobias Enstrom scored in the second. Enstrom's goal was his first this season.

The Thrashers, 2 for 8 on the power play, outshot the Blue Jackets 35-21.

Torres' second goal gave Columbus a 4-2 lead. Torres, who had two goals Sunday in the Blue Jackets' 5-4 win at Washington, scored twice Thursday by taking advantage of the Thrashers' breakdowns in weak-side defense.

Thrashers goalie Ondrej Pavelec was defending attacks on the left side of the net when Torres was left alone on the right side. Torres had only one multi-goal game last season.

The Blue Jackets won for only the third time in nine games after a 5-1 start.

NOTES: Torres has eight goals this season. ... Garon recorded two shutouts over Atlanta while a rookie with Montreal in 2000. ... Brassard returned after missing one game because of a hand injury. ... The Blue Jackets are 5-4 in road games. ... Columbus RW Derek Dorsett was helped off the ice about 5 minutes into the third period after he was knocked hard into the wall by Ron Hainsey.

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